Definitions, FAQs, and Resources | ACL Administration for Community Living

Definitions

AQUAPONICS

AQUAPONICS is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics – growing fish and plants together in a symbiotic system. The plants keep the water clean for the fish to grow, and the fish fertilize the plants. Both help the other to survive and thrive. (USDA)

COMMUNITY GARDENS

COMMUNITY GARDENS are collaborative projects on shared open spaces where participants share in the maintenance and products of the garden, including healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. (National Agricultural Library Agricultural Thesaurus)

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that:

Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments
Is manifested before the individual attains age 22
Is likely to continue indefinitely
Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: (I) Self-care. (II) Receptive and expressive language. (III) Learning. (IV) Mobility. (V) Self-direction. (VI) Capacity for independent living. (VII) Economic self-sufficiency
Reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated

HYDROPONICS

HYDROPONICS is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, and can include an aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite. (National Agricultural Library)

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY is a condition characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that originates before the age of 22. (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)

OLDER ADULT

OLDER ADULT is defined as an individual who is aged 60 years or older. The Older Americans Act focuses on providing supportive services to this group, particularly those with the greatest economic or social need, without income-based eligibility.

ORGANIC GARDENING

ORGANIC GARDENING focuses on the health of the whole ecosystem by supporting plant health and vigor without use of synthetic pesticides and insecticides or artificial or synthetic fertilizers. Instead, it employs cultural, biological and mechanical practices to manage disease and insect pests. Organic gardening techniques are proactive with the goal of avoiding plant decline, disease and insect pests, rather than treating problems after they occur. (Piedmont Master Gardeners)

PARALYSIS

PARALYSIS means a central nervous system disorder that results in difficulty or inability to move the upper or lower extremities. Paralysis is the result of nerve damage in the brain or spinal cord due to trauma, disease, or birth condition.

PHYSICAL DISABILITY

PHYSICAL DISABILITY is a condition affecting bodily systems that substantially limits major life activities, such as walking, breathing, or working.

SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY is based on the principle that everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations. (Environmental Protection Agency)

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

UNIVERSAL DESIGN means creating spaces and programs that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation. For a garden, this could include wide, stable pathways, adjustable-height raised beds, clear signage with pictures, and accessible tools. (American Society of Landscape Architects)

URBAN AGRICULTURE

URBAN AGRICULTURE includes the cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban areas. Community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic and aquaponic facilities, and vertical production, are all examples of urban agriculture. Tribal communities and small towns may also be included. (Farmers.gov)

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Challenge

What problem is this challenge trying to solve?: People with disabilities and older adults often face barriers to participating in community activities, including gardening. This can lead to social isolation and limited access to nutritious food. The challenge seeks to reward sustainable community gardens that are actively working to remove these barriers.
What does a successful project look like?: A successful project will strengthen its existing sustainable garden by making it more accessible, reducing social isolation, improving food affordability for participants, and building strong partnerships with aging and disability organizations. A key element is involving the target communities in the planning and leadership of the project.

Eligibility and Participation

You can see full eligibility and participation requirements on the Eligibility and Terms tab of the Challenge website.

Who can participate?

An individual citizen or permanent U.S. resident, 18 or older
A team led by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 18 or older
A private entity (like a nonprofit or business) incorporated in and based in the U.S.

If a member of our team is not a U.S. citizen, are we eligible to participate?

Yes. However, the primary applicant (whether individual or private entity) and team leader must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or U.S.-based entity.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply (e.g., for-profit, nonprofit, academic)?

There is no preference for organization type. U.S. community garden projects that incorporate sustainability practices, such as organic gardening, hydroponics, or aquaponics, are eligible to apply.

Who is NOT eligible to win a prize?

Federal employees acting in their official capacity, HHS employees in any capacity, and judges or other parties involved in running the challenge (and their immediate families) are not eligible. All non-HHS federal employees must consult with their agency ethics official to determine whether the federal ethics rules will limit or prohibit the acceptance of a COMPETES Act prize.

Are federal grantees eligible?

In the case of federal grantees, they may participate but not use federal funds to develop submissions unless consistent with the purpose of their grant award.

Does our garden have to be an existing one?

Yes. The challenge is for existing community garden projects that already incorporate sustainability practices and wish to enhance their accessibility and outreach.

Our garden uses sustainable methods but isn't certified "organic." Can we still apply?

Yes. The challenge lists organic gardening, hydroponics, and aquaponics as examples of sustainability practices. As long as your garden focuses on environmental health (e.g., using natural pest control, composting, water conservation), you are encouraged to apply.

If our community garden already has ADA-accessible options, am I eligible to enter?

Yes, the challenge is open to community gardens that want to improve existing or implement additional measures to make the sustainable community garden more accessible to people with disabilities and older adults.

Applications/Submissions

You can see full application details, including required format and submission sections, on the How to Apply tab of the Challenge website.

What needs to be in our Phase 1 "Accessibility Change Plan"?

Your 5-page plan must outline:

The accessibility barriers in your garden and the need for change (Demonstration of Need)
How your proposed changes will impact the community (Impact & Outcomes)
How you will involve people with disabilities or older adults in leadership (Accessibility, Governance, & Community Participation)
A practical timeline and resource plan (Feasibility & Scalability)
Your partnerships and plans for long-term sustainability
Your environmental practices, plans for intergenerational engagement, and data evaluation plan

How many participants can be named on the application?

There is no set or recommended number of participants in a team. There must be only one designated primary team leader or entity for each team to serve as the main point of contact for the application and receive the prize money.

Phases and Timeline

You can see full phases and timeline details on the Phases and Prizes tab of the Challenge website.

How long is Phase 1?

Phase 1, the planning phase, is considered between now and the submission of Phase 1 applications — deadline on August 26, 2026. Phase 2, the implementation phase, will start after the announcement of Phase 1 winners.

Can applicants enter directly into Phase 2?

No. You must be a winner in Phase 1 to move to Phase 2.

If selected as a prize winner for Phase 1, does that automatically qualify us for Phase 2?

Yes, Phase 1 winners are automatically qualified for Phase 2.

What is the timeline after Phase 1 for implementation in Phase 2?

Once Phase 1 winners are officially announced, the winners may begin Phase 2 and start implementing plans.

What are the exact submission deadlines?

Optional letter of intent deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
Phase 1 submission deadline: August 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Phase 2 submission deadline: May 26, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET

What are the prize amounts for Phase 1 and Phase 2, and when will winners of each phase be announced?

Phase 1

Prizes: Up to $4,000 each
Winners announced: October 16, 2026

Phase 2

Prizes: Up to $8,000 each
Winners announced: July 16, 2027

What is required for the Phase 2 submission?

For Phase 2, you will need to complete a live, virtual tour of your garden to show the judges the accessible changes you've made. You must also submit a report with impact data, such as the number of new participants, feedback from the community, and partnerships formed. The details for Phase 2 will be provided at a later time.

Budget, Prize Use, and Funding Rules

You can see the full eligibility and participation requirements on the Eligibility and Terms tab of the Challenge website.

Is there a budget required as part of the Phase 1 submission?: No. Prize challenge submissions do not need a budget.
Can applicants use non-governmental funding sources (e.g. accelerators, grants) alongside this prize?: Yes. Applicants can use other funds to support their work. The Eligibility and Terms tab of the Challenge website provides information on the use of federal funds.
Are there administrative or reporting requirements if awarded, or any restrictions on how the funds can be used?: This opportunity is structured as a prize challenge, which is distinctly different from a grant or a contract. The prizes are awarded based on the quality of your application measured against the judging criteria. You do not need to submit a budget and there are no requirements for how the prize money can be used. There is no requirement for Phase 1 winners to continue to participate in Phase 2, though we certainly hope winning teams will continue to submit for Phase 2. There are no reporting requirements after the award.

Evaluation Criteria & Judging

How will the applications be judged?

A panel of experts will evaluate your Phase 1 plan based on criteria including:

Demonstration of Need & Responsiveness (20%): How well you identify real barriers.
Impact & Outcomes (20%): Your potential to reduce isolation and improve health.
Accessibility, Governance, & Community Participation (20%): How you incorporate universal design and co-design with the community.
Feasibility & Scalability (15%): Whether your plan is practical and replicable.
Other smaller criteria include partnerships (10%), environmental stewardship (5%), intergenerational engagement (5%) and data collection (5%). Up to 10 bonus points for creative outreach strategies.

What is the rubric for evaluation and selection?

The Challenge website provides judging criteria in the Evaluation Criteria tab.

Does ACL provide feedback if declined?

No, we do not provide feedback on the application scoring for declined applications.

Intellectual Property, Privacy, and Legal

Will submitted applications be made public for viewing by the general public or other submitting participants, and who will have access to them?: Submitted proposals will not be made publicly available and will not be shared with other applicants or external parties. However, ACL does plan to publish summary information about the winning proposals so the public and stakeholder organizations can learn about the selected solutions. All submissions are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If ACL receives a FOIA request, we will review the request in accordance with federal law, including applying all applicable exemptions to protect confidential and proprietary information.

Accessibility & Support

What are the accommodations for people with disabilities participating?: The website and webinars will ensure Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) & ADA compliance.
Will webinar recordings and presentation slides be available afterward?: Yes, they can be found at the bottom of this page, in the events section.

Resources

Ideas for accessibility

Events

Phase 1 informational webinar: Thursday, June 25 at 3:00 p.m. ET

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